2-keto-10-substituted estranes



United States Patent 3,173,936 2-KETO-10=SUEST1TUTE$ ESTRANES Alexander D. Cross, Mexico City, Mexico, assignor to Syntex Corporation, Panama, Panama, a corporation of Panama No Drawing. Filed Dec. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 332364 Claims priority, application Mexico, July 31, 19 63, 73 252 2a Claims. hi ass-c9711 In the above formulas R represents a cyano group, a dicarbethoxyrnethyl grouping, an ethinyl group, an acetonyl group or a ,B-cyanoethyl group all with a or 5 configurations; R represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon car,- boxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms and R represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl or lower alkinyl.

The acyl group is derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acids containing less than 12 carbon atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cyclic-aliphatic chain, aromatic and may be substituted by functional groups such as hydroxy, allioxy containing up to 5 carbon atoms, acyloxycontaining u to 12 carbon atoms, nitro, amino or halogen. Typical ester groups are the acetate, propionate, enanthate, benzoate, trimethylacetate, t-butylacetate, phenoxyacetate, cyclopentyl-propionate, aminoacetate, and ,B-chloropropionate.

The compounds represented by the above formulas are anabolic agents with a favorable androgenic-anabolic ratio. Further, they are anti-estrogcnic and anti-gonadotrophic compounds lower the blood and adrenal cholesterol levels.

The compounds of the above formulas wherein R is lower alkenyl or lower alkinyl possess, in addition, progestational activity, also when administered orally, and are useful in fertility control.

The novel compounds of the present invention are prepared by the process illustrated as follows:

nil

3,173,939 Patented iv'iar. 16, 1965 "ice In the above formulas R, R and R have the same meaning as previously set forth.

In accordance with the latter equation, the starting compound (I) which is a A -estren-flfl-ol-Z-one derivative (obtained according to my copending U.S. patent application Serial No. 332,961, filed of even date, by conventional lretalization 0t o -5a-estren-17,8-01-2-one, oxidation of the obtained 2-cycloethylenedioXy-A -estrou- 17/3-01 to the corresponding 17B-ketone preferably with chromium anhydride, treatment of the 17-ketone with a lower alkyl, alicenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide to give the corresponding flat-substituted Z-cycloethylenedioxy- A -estren-17B-ol and conventional hydrolyzation of the latter to the corresponding A -2-ketone) and may be substituted at C17a, by a lower alkyl, alkenyl, or alkinyl group, is treated with an alkali metal cyanide such as potassium cyanide, in a polar organic solvent, such as lower hydrocarbon mono or poly alcohols for example glycol or ethanol and preferably at reflux temperature, thus affording the corresponding 10e-cyano-5a-estrand75- ol-2-one together with the respective lOti-cyanoisomer (Ii: R cyano).

Upon treatment of the starting A -244cm steroid (l) with diethyl malonate in an organic solvent inert to said reagent, such as a lower alkanol, e.g. ethanol, in the presence of a suitable basic catalyst, as for example a so dium lower alkoxide such as the ethoxide, there are produced the corresponding 10a dicarbethoxymethyl 5 estran-l'ifi-ol-Z-one compound and the respective 10,8- isomer thereof (ll: R=dicarbethoxymethyl).

When starting compound (I) is treated with an alkali metal acetylide preferably lithium acetylide in a solvent inert to the organo-metallic reagent, such as tetrahydrofuran, there are obtained the corresponding 10c: and 10,6- ethinyl-Se-eStran-i'ifl-oi-Z-one derivatives (ll: R=etl1inyl), with acyloxy groups that could have been present in the starting compounds hydrolyzed to the corresponding hydroxy groups.

Proceeding in accordance with the latter scheme the starting compound (l) is treated with dimethyl lcctone in the presence of a basic catalyst, such as an amine e.g. piperidine, to give the corresponding 10,3 and IOe-acetonyl- 5a-estran-l7fl-ol-2-one derivatives (ll: R=acetonyl).

in order to obtain the lOfi-cyanoethyl compounds the starting compound (I) is treated with acrylonitrile in the presence of a basic catalyst, preferably benzyltrirnethyl ammonium hydroxide (Triton B) in a suitable inert solvent such as dioxane, thus producing the corresponding 10e-( 3cyanoethyl)-5c -estran-17fi-ol-2-one together with the corresponding ltlfi-isomer (ll: R=fi-cyanoethyl).

In all the above reactions, separation of the lOoc-COnb pounds from the corresponding -isorners may be eiiected by conventional procedures such as column chromatography or fractional crystallization.

The process of the present invention for the novel production of 10-methyl-2--keto-estranes, which are useful intermediates in the production of Z-methylene-androstanes which, in turn, are valuable anabolic agents (US. patent of Bowers et al., No. 3,082,223) is represented by the following equation wherein only appear rings A and B:

Proceeding in accordance with the latter scheme, the starting compound which is a d m-estren-l7fi-ol2-one derivative and may be substituted by lower alkyl, alkenyl,

and in the presence of cuprous chloride thus giving the corresponding 10oz methyl 50c es-tran 17B ol 2- one, together with the corresponding lOB-methyl isomer (III) which are separated from each other by conven-' 'tional procedures such as column chromatography or v fractional crystallization.

The novel 17-keto-compounds of the present invention are prepared by the process exemplified as follows:

In the above formulas R has the same meaning as set forth hereinbefore.

In accordance with the latter scheme the starting compound (IV) which is a 1004 or 10,6-substituted 170t-UI1Sl1b- 'stituted-Sa-estran 17B-0l-2-one, obtained by the procedures described hereinbefore is treated with a conventional oxidizing agent such as chromium trioxide, preferably in an 8N sulfuric acid acetone solution, at a temperature of around 0-5 C. to produce the corresponding 100: or 1OB-substituted-Souestran-Z,l7-dione (V).

The secondary free hydroxyl group of the compounds of the present invention, is conventionally acylated in pyridine with a suitable acylating agent, such as an anhydride derived from a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of the type defined above to give the corresponding acylate.

The free tertiary hydroxyl group of the compound of the present invention, e.g. the 17fi-hydroxyl of the 170:- substituted compound, is conventionally esterified in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid with an acylating agent of the type just described, to give the correspondin g esters.

The following specific examples serve to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit it.

Example I To a mixture of 1 g. of the acetate of A -estren- 17fi-ol-2-one (prepared according to my aforesaid patent application) 1 g. of cuprous chloride and 30 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added, while stirring and cooling, 30 cc. of tetrahydrofuran, containing 3 mol.

equivalent of methyl magnesium bromide.

The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 28. C., then poured into ice-water, containing dilute hydrochloric acid. The product was extracted with methylene chloride, the extract washed to neutral with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent at reduced pressure gave a residue, which was purified by successive crystallization from methylene chloride-hexane to produce 10m-methyl-5a-estran-17,8-01-2- one and the corresponding lOB-isomeric derivatives.

The starting compounds listed under I (which were obtained according to my aforesaid patent application) were treated by the same procedure to give the corresponding IOu-Substituted products set forth under II, together with each one of the corresponding lOfl-isoniers which could be isolated from the mixture by the use of fractional crystallization or conventional chromatography methods:

I II

N -5a-estren-17B-ol-2-one Propionate of A (10) -5a-estren-17 3- o1-2-0ne.

Oaproate of A -5aestren-17B-ol- 2-one.

17a-methyl-A -5a-estren-17B-o1- 10a-metliyl-5a-estran-17fl-ol-2-one. 10a-methyl-5a-estran-17B-ol-2-0ne.

5 g. of the acetate of A -5a-estren-17,8-01-2-one were mixed with 8 g. of potassium cyanide in 200 cc. of ethanol and then the obtained mixture was heated under reflux during 10 hours. It was cooled, diluted with water and the product of the reaction extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent distilled oif.

The obtained residue was chromatographed on a column having 250 g. of neutral alumina and from the fractions eluted with benzene ether (1:1) there was obtained the acetate of 10a-cyano-5a-estran l7B-ol2-one; from the fractions eluted with a benzene-ether (1:2) was isolated the corresponding l0 3-isomer which was found in a smaller proportion than the l0u-isomer.

Following exactly the above technique, there were treated the starting compounds listed under I, to give the corresponding mot-substituted products set forth under II, each together with the respective IOB-isomer which was separated in each case using the procedures mentioned in Example I:

I II

Acetate of 17a-methyl-A (10) -5aestren-17fl-0l-2-one.

Propionate of 17a-vinyl-A1 (10) -5aestren-17B-ol-2-one.

Example III To a solution of sodium ethoxide in ethanol (prepared from 500 mg. of recently cut sodium in 15 cc. of absolute ethanol) were added 7 cc. of diethyl malonate, freshly distilled, together with 15 g. of the acetate of A -5aestren-17/3-ol-2-one dissolved in 200 cc. of absolute ethanol. The obtained mixture was heated under reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere during 2 hours and was clarified after 15 minutes of having initiated the heat. The solution thus obtained was cooled and poured into a mixture of 380 cc. of water and 20 cc. of acetic acid. The organic product was extracted with ethyl-acetate and the aqueous fractions was extracted two times more with the same solvent cc. each time). The organic extracts were combined, washed with a diluted solution of sodium carbonate in water and then washed to neutral with water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was chromatographed on a column prepared with 600 g. of silica-gel and the solid fractions eluted with benzene ether (3-1) produced the acetate of a-(dicarbethoxyrncthyl)-5 a-estran-l75-ol-2 one. Further elution with ether alone gave the corresponding lOB-isomer. The two isomers were recrystallized separately from acetone-hexane to produce the corresponding pure compound.

The starting compound mentioned in Example I was treated in an identical manner, to produce the corresponding IDs-substituted derivatives hereinafter set forth, together with the respective l Ofit-steroid isomers. Produced compounds:

10a-dicarbethoxymethyl-5a-estran-17B-ol-2-one.

Propionate of lOct-dicarbethoxymethyl-ia-estran-17,8-

ol-2-one.

Caproate of 1{Ja-dicarbethoxymethyl-Sol-estran-17B- ol-2-one.

17ot-methyl-l(la-dicarbethoxymethyl-h-estran-17 8- ol-2-one.

1'7a-vinyl-lOa-dicarbethoXymethyl-Six-estran-17B- ol-Z-one.

17tx-ethinyl-1Gu-dicarbethOXymethyl-Sot-estran-17,8-

ol-2-one.

Acetate of 17a-methyl-lOot-dicarbethoxymethyl-5aestran-17fl-ol-2-one.

Propionate of l70t-VlI1Yl-lOa-(llCaIbEihOXYmClhYl-Socestran-17fl-ol-2-one.

Caproate of 17u-ethinyl-10a-dicarbethoxymethyl-Saestran-17,8-ol-2-one.

Example 1V There was passed a slow current of purified acetylene through a suspension of l g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 50 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydroiuran during 3 hours at room temperature and with constant stirring, then there was added dropwise a solution of 1 g. of the acetate of A -5tx-estren-l7fl-ol-2-one, in 50 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and the reacting mixture was kept during 24 hours under the same conditions, then it was poured into water. The resulting mixture was aciditied with a 2 N hydrochloric acid solution and the organic product extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was Washed with water until neutral, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. By chromatography of the residue on 150 g. of neutral alumina there was produced 10a-ethinyl-5a-estran-17,8-ol-2-one and the ltlfi-ethinyl-isomeric derivative thereof. Upon applying this procedure to the starting compounds listed under I, there were obtained the corresponding 10ozethinyl products indicated under II together with the respective isomeric file-substituted derivatives which were separated from the original mixture of the two isomers by the purification technique set forth in Example I:

I II

Proipionate of A -5a-estren-l7B- 1da-ethinyl-w-estram-176-o]-2-one.

10oz. 17a-diethinyl-5a-esnan-176- 250' cc. anhydrous acetone, was heated under reflux during 16 hours. The excess of acetone together with the piperidine were eliminated by distillation in vacuo. The obtained organic residue was chromatographed on a column of 250 g. of silica in order to obtain separately the acetate of 10a-acetQnyl-Sa-estran-l7B-ol-2-one (eluted with benzene-ether mixture 1:1) and the corresponding IOB-isomeric derivative (eluted with benzene-ether mixture 1:3). Crystallization of these steroid derivatives from acetone-ether separately, gave the products in pure form.

Following the same technique, there were treated the starting compound mentioned in Example I, to produce the corresponding Ida-isomeric products hereafter described, together with the respective ltlfi-acetonyl substituted derivatives:

IGa-acetonyl-Sa-estran-17,6-ol-2-one.

Propionate or" lGa-acetonyl-Sa-estran17fl-ol-2-one.

Caproate of IGa-acetonyl-Sa-estran-17flol-2-onet 17a-methyl-iQa-acetonyl-5ot-estran-17 5'-ol-2-one.

17a-vinyl- 1 Oa-acetonyl-Sa-estran- 17,9-01-2-one.

l7a-ethinyl-10a-acetonyl-5a-estran-1'JB-ol-Z-one.

Propionate of 17a-vinyl-lOa-acetonyl-Sa-estran-17,8-ol- 2-one.

Caproate of 17e-cthinyl-10a-acetonyl-Sa-eStrand7,8-01- 2-one.

Example V1 20 g. of the acetate of A -Swestren-17 3-ol-2-one were dissolved in 100 cc. of dioxane together with 3 cc. of a aqueous solution of benzyl tri-methyl ammonium hydroxide (Triton B) and then there were added 8 cc. of acrylonitrile dissolved in 20 cc. of dioxane While maintaining a constant stirring; at the beginning the temperature of the reacting mixture rised to approximately C. Then the stirring was continued at room temperature during 2 hours, the mixture was acidified with diluted hydrochloric acid and the solvents eliminated by distillation in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on neutral alumina (500 g). Elution with benzene-ether (2:1 and 1:1) produced the acetate of lfla-(B-cyanoethyl)-5a-estran-l7,6-ol-2-one and further elu-tion with benzone-ether (1:3) and ether alone gave the corresponding IOB-cyanoethyl steroid derivative.

The starting compounds listed under I were treated by the same procedures to give the corresponding lOtx-su'b stituted products under ll, each one together with the respective IOfl-isomer, which were separated by fractional crystallization or by conventional chromatography method I II A1 -5cz-0StX'On-l7fi-Ol-2-Ol1B 10oz-(5-cya11oeti1yl)5aeStrfin-l7flol-2-onei Propionate of A -5a-estreu-17B- Propionate of ltl'z-(fi-cyanoethyly Acetate oi 17a-methyl-A '50:

17,13-ol-2-one in 15 cc. of freshly distilled pyridine and Caproate of 17a-ethinyl-A 2-one.

Example VII A solution of 1 g. of l0u-rnethyl-5ot-estran-17,3-ol-2- one in 10 cc. of acetone was cooled to 0 C. and treated under an atmosphere of nitrogen and with stirring, with color of the reagent persisted in the mixture.

' 10a-dicarbethOXymethyl-Sa-estrana solution of 8 N chromic acid (prepared by mixing 26 g. of chromium trioxide with 23 cc. of concentrated sulfuric acid and diluting with water to 100 cc.) until the It was stirred for 5 minutes further at 5 C. and diluted with water. The precipitate was collected, washed with water and dried under vacuum, thus afliording a crude product which upon recrystallization from acetonehexane gave 10a-methy1-5u-estrane-2, l7-dione.

Following the same procedure there was treated the corresponding 10,8-isomer of the starting material of this example to give the respective 2,17-diketo-1OB-substituted estrane compound.

Example VIII Upon applying the oxidation technique of Example VII to the mot-substituted starting compounds listed hereinafter under I, there were obtained the corresponding products set forth under II:

I II

10a-oyano-5a-estran-17B-ol-2-one. 100003731101O(-eStlaIle-2,17-dlOne.

loa-dicarbethoxymethyl-lialoa-dicarbethoxymothyl-Eaestran-178-ol-2-one. estrane-2,17-di0ne.

IOez-ethinyl-5a-estran-17B-ol-2-0nea-ethlnyl-5a-estraue-2,17-dione. IOa-acetonyl-5aestren-17B-ol-2-one- 10a-a retony1-5a-estraue-Z,IT-dione.

1Da-(B-cyanoethyl)-5a-estran-17fi- 10a-(Bryanoethyl)-5a-estraneol-2-one. 2,17-di0ne.

In the same manner the corresponding 10,8-substituted isomers of the starting material listed under I were treated to produce the respective IOfi-isomers of the diketo steroids set forth under II.

Example IX isomer of the starting material set forth in this example was treated to produce the respective steroid acetate.

Example X Upon applying the esterification technique of Example 'IX to the starting compound listed under I there were obtained the corresponding products set forth under II:

I II

10a-eyano-5a-estran-17fl-ol-2one---.. 1(la-cyano-5a-estran-176-o1-2-one acetate 10a-dicarbethoxymethyl-Sa- Example Xl There was thus followed esterification technique of Example IX, except that acetic anhydride was substituted by propionic anhydride, caproic anhydride and cyclopentylpropionic anhydride to give the corresponding propionate, caproate and cyclopentylpropionate of 10ccmethyI-Sa-estran-l7 8-ol-2-one and the respective esters of its N B-substituted isomers.

8 Example XII Example IX by substituting acetic anhydride by propionic anhydride, caproic anhydride and cyclopentylpropicnic anhydride to give the corresponding propionatcs, caproates, and cyclopentylpropionates of the 10oc-SllbS'ti tuted products listed under I in Example X and of the respective 10,8-isomeric derivatives.

Example XIII To a.solution of 5 g. of 10a,17a-dimethyl-5a-estran- 17,8-o1-2-one obtained in accordance with Example I in cc. of anhydrous benzene, there were added 1 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid and 10 cc. of an acetic anhydride and the mixture was allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature, poured into ice and water, and the resulting mixture stirred to effect hydrolysis of the excess anhydride. The benzene layer was separated and washed with 10% sodium carbonate solution and water. Drying, evaporation and crystallization of the residue from ether-hexane produced the acetate of 100:,l7a-dimethyl-Sa-estran-17fl-ol-2-one.

Following the same method, there was treated the 1013- isomer of the starting material set forth in this example to produce the respective steroid acetate.

Example XI V Using the technique of Example XIII there were treated the starting compounds listed under I to produce the corresponding products set forth under II:

IOaqnethyl-17a-vinyl-5a-estran- 17B-0l-2-one.

IOa-methyl-17a-ethinyl-5a-estran V loa-ethinyl-fla-methyl-Ea-estran- 17/3-ol-2-one.

IOa-ethinyl-l7a-vinyl-5a-estran- Acetate out lOa-methyl-Uaethin3 l-5westran-17fi-o1-2-one.

a-estran-17l3-ol-2-one.

Acetate of 17m-vinyl-10a- (dicarbethoxymethyD-M- cstran-l7B-ol-2-one.

Acetate of 17a'ethinyl-10a- (dicarbethoxymethyD-Eaestran-l7B-ol-2-one.

Acetate of 10a-ethinyl-l7amethyl-Ea-estran-17fl-ol-2-one. Acetate of l0a-ethinyl-17a-vinyl' Acetate of 17a-vinyl-l0a-acetonyl- 5a-estran-17fi-ol-2-one.

Acetate of 17a-ethiny1-10a-acetonyl- 5a-estran-176-ol-2-one. Acetate of l7a-Vil1y1-l0w- (:S-cyanoethyl)-5a-estrau-17B- ol-2-one. Acetate of 17a-Bl7hiHyl-10a- (B-cyanoethyl)-5a-estran-17B- 0l-2-one.

The corresponding lOfl-substituted isomer of the material described before under I were treated in a similar manner to produce the respective 10fi-isomcrs of the compounds set forth under H.

Example XV Example XVI The starting compounds set forth in Example XIV were esterified following the technique described in Example X111, with the exception that acetic anhydride substituted by propionic anhydride, caproic anhydride and cyclopentylpropionic anhydride to produce the corresponding propionates, caproates, and cyclopentylpropionates of the wot-substituted compounds set forth under I in Example XIV of the corresponding IOfi-substituted isomers.

I claim:

1. A compound of the following formula:

as W wherein R is selected from the group consisting of a cyano group, a dicarbethoxymethyl group, an acetonyl group, an ethinyl group and a ,B-cyanoethyl group; R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkinyl.

3. l'la-vinyl-ltlot-cyano-fiu-estran-l7 8-ol-2-one.

4. 17u-ethinyl-10a-cyano-5a-estranl7 8-ol-2-one.

5. 17m ethinyl 10cc (dicarbethoxymethyl) 5aestran-175-ol-2-one.

6. a,l7a-diethinyI-Sa-estran-17B-ol-2-one.

7. 17a-ethinyl-IOa-acetonyl-Sa-estran-17B-o1-2-one.

8. 17a-ethinyl-10u-(fi-cyanoethyl)-5u-estran-17;3-ol 2- one.

9. IO-c ano-Sa-estran-17B-ol-2-one.

1 0. 1 O-ethinyl-S a-estran- 1 7B-ol-2-one.

1 l. lO-dicarbethoxymethyl-Sat-estran-175-01-2-one.

12. 10-acetonyl-Sa-estran-17B-ol-2-one.

13 10- (,B-cyanoethyl -5 a-estran-l 7B-ol-2-one.

14. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of a cyano group, a dicarbethoxyrnethyl group, an acetonyl group, an ethinyl group and a fl-cyanoethyl group.

15. A process for the production of a IO-cyanoestran- Z-one which comprises treating the corresponding A estren-Z-one with an alkali metal cyanide in a polar organic solvent.

16. A process or the production of a IO-dicarbethoxymethyl-estran-Z-one which comprises treating the corresponding A estren-2-one with diethyl malonate in an inert solvent and in the presence of a basic catalyst.

17. A process for the production of an IO-ethinylestran-2-one which comprises treating the corresponding A -estren-2-one with an alkali metal acetylide in an inert solvent.

18. A process for the production of an IO-acetonylestran-Z-one which comprises treating the corresponding A -estren-2-one with a dimethyl ketone in the presence of a basic catalyst.

19. A process for the production of a 10-(;8-cyanoethyDestran-Z-one which comprises treating the corresponding A -estren-2-one with acrylonitri le in the presence of a basic catalyst in an inert solvent.

20. A process for the production of a IO-rnethyl-estran- 2-one which comprises treating the corresponding A estren-Z-one with a methyl magnesium halide in the presence of cuprous chloride.

No references cited. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 